Brian Cushing

Houston Texans beat writer John McClain is reporting the team informed LB Brian Cushing that he’ll be released prior to the start of the new league year.

Fantasy Impact

By the time the new league year begins on March 14, Cushing will be released, the Texans informed the troubled linebacker Sunday. And after being suspended for 10 games in the 2017 season following his second violation of the league’s PED policy, plus, a checkered injury history, the move makes sense, especially from a salary cap standpoint — by moving on from Cushing, Houston will save $7.64 million against the cap. The Texans’ all-time leader in tackles, Cushing should have no trouble finding a new club for 2018.

Brian Cushing recorded a sack on six total tackles (four solo) in the Texans' blowout loss to the Jaguars.

Fantasy Impact

Cushing recorded his first full sack since returning from his 10-game suspension for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing substance policy.

Brian Cushing was eligible to return from his 10-game PED suspension last week, but the Texans held off to gauge his conditioning. The 10 games were mandatory as It was Cushing’s second career PED violation.

Fantasy Impact

At this point it is unclear how much Cushing will play in Week 14 and if he will even gain his starting role back this year. Since the nine-year veteran out of USC went on the inactive list, Houston has been rolling with Benardrick McKinney and rookie Zach Cunningham at inside linebacker. Houston hosts San Francisco in Week 14.

Texans middle linebacker Brian Cushing has officially been reinstated after his 10-game suspension for violating the NFL performance-enhancing drug policy ended. It was the second PED violation Cushing has been popped for during his nine year career. His first violation occurred during his second season with the team back in 2010. To make room on the 53-man roster the Texans have waived OLB Lamarr Houston.

Fantasy Impact

Cushing’s return will certainly aid a depleted Houston defense, but how much he contributes the remainder of the season remains to be seen. Since his suspension came down in Week 2, the Texans have gotten strong play at the inside linebacker position from veteran Benardrick McKinney and rookie Zack Cunningham and have also gotten contributions from another rookie linebacker Dylan Cole. On getting Cushing back in there on defense Texans’ head coach Bill O’Brian told reporters “we’re not in a rush to do anything. We have a lot of guy playing right now at a pretty high level on defense, so we’ll see how Brian’s doing and we’ll go from there.” There’s a good chance Cushing will play in some capacity when the Texans visit AFC South rival Tennessee in Week 13.

Texans ILB Brian Cushing received word today from the NFL that he will be suspended 10 games for violating the league’s policy on performance enhancing drugs. It is the second such violation of the nine-year veteran’s career as he already served four games back in 2010.

Fantasy Impact

Brian Cushing was already ruled out of Houston’s Week 2 Thursday night matchup against Cincinnati after suffer a concussion on Sunday in the Texans loss to Jacksonville. With the addition of the suspension Cushing will be out of action until Week 13. Houston will now have to look to rookies Zack Cunningham and Dylan Coyle to replace the void at ILB.